33.25" Ric scale - your opinion?

[Redsun4001]

I had a fret scale template made to fit my StewMac Fret Slot Miter Box.

View attachment 7501488

It gets taped to the fret board securely while I'm cutting the fret slots. It does 34" and 33.25" scale. Also ~32 and ~30 scale on the 34" scale if I start at the 1st or 2nd fret respectively. Great investment. Of course, I don't really use it that much anymore - most builds I do these days, I use pre-made necks. I'm getting too old to carve necks any more.

Thank you for replying so quickly.
That's great?
Was it terribly expensive to have that made? $100-$200?

 

[mapleglo]

Thank you for replying so quickly.
That's great?
Was it terribly expensive to have that made? $100-$200?

It was a while ago. I don't remember, but I don't think it was that much. Maybe $25 or so. Of course, things were less expensive in those days.

 

[MrAB4003]

Question for Ric players and non-Ric players alike, regarding the 33.25" scale that is unique to those basses...

For those who play them, is the 33.25" scale part of the appeal, or more the looks/sound? Would you care if they were standard 34" scale, or maybe even prefer it?

For those who don't play a Ric, is the 33.25" scale part of the reason, or more looks/sound/comfort turns you off? If they were 34" scale would that make any difference to you?

This is just a general feedback question about the unique scale. We make 34" and 32" basses, and have had questions about this 33.25" (or just an even 33" scale) but are wondering if this is actually part of the appeal of Rics, or if it's more about the look and sound.

Thanks for your consideration

Zombie thread revival!

My two main basses are 4003s. I think the 33.25" scale is part of the quirkiness of the RIC. There isn't much of a difference from a typical Fender-derived 34" scale. I love the way they play, look, sound, and feel in my hands. That's why I play them.

 

[GIBrat51]

Question for Ric players and non-Ric players alike, regarding the 33.25" scale that is unique to those basses...

For those who play them, is the 33.25" scale part of the appeal, or more the looks/sound? Would you care if they were standard 34" scale, or maybe even prefer it?

For those who don't play a Ric, is the 33.25" scale part of the reason, or more looks/sound/comfort turns you off? If they were 34" scale would that make any difference to you?

This is just a general feedback question about the unique scale. We make 34" and 32" basses, and have had questions about this 33.25" (or just an even 33" scale) but are wondering if this is actually part of the appeal of Rics, or if it's more about the look and sound.

Thanks for your consideration

Well...
I learned to play bass on a friend's left handed '68 Rickenbacker 4001 bass - in 1968. I've loved Ricks ever since, and currently own 2 - a '73 4001, and an '01 COY 4003. While I do love the tone, and the fact that Rick basses fit me like a surgeon's glove? The idiosyncratic 33.25" scale is... not something that I've ever cared about. It's just a "Rick thing" - nothing more. So...
- No; the odd scale, IME (I also own 28 other basses - most of them 34" scale) has no effect on a Rick's looks, sound, or comfort - at all.
- Would it make a difference to me if Ricks were a "standard" 34" long scale bass? Absolutely not; not at all...
Honestly? If somebody didn't tell you - or you measured it yourself? I very seriously doubt you'd ever be able to tell that the scale was 3/4" shorter than a normal long scale bass. And, while that missing 3/4" scale length probably does make some difference in the tone? Well... everything makes a difference, but I think it would take an oscilloscope to see it. The setup and especially the strings make a whole lot more of a difference...
Bottom line? IMO, that missing 3/4" is just one more thing that makes Rick basses "unique"...

 

[Metal Sombreros]

I didnt know they were shorter until I got one and I definitely like it.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Hi! I'm currently building my first Ric style bass.
What do you use for the 33.25" scale fret template?
Measuring fret to fret using a StewMac calculator is terrible.
I've downloaded a printable template. Before I get started on that, I'd like to hear from you how you do it?

Whew, I was worried Marko was back "taking customers" again when I saw this bumped.

For reference:

Thread 'Hammersmith K4 - TalkBass Special Model'

Jan 30, 2017

Hi guys. Apologies regarding the thread that got deleted in the Basses forum, any talk about this special release model should happen here.

This model will be available for shipping in late May, give or take. We had a bunch of dealer requests on these at NAMM and in discussing how to make the numbers work, MAP pricing is going to be $1095 for the single pickup model and $1195 for the two pickup model. Lace Alumitone Bassbars will come stock and dealer finishes will be Black, White, Surf Green and 2TSB. We'll be making a TB special edition that will be available here by pre-order at a...

• MarkoYYZ
• hammersmith model special talkbass
• Replies: 760
• Forum: Basses [BG]

•